New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Despite missing 25 games, reigning MVP Kevin Durant was selected to the All-Star Game Thursday as a reserve, while Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard were among the players snubbed.
Durant, who was named MVP of the 2012 All-Star Game and will be appearing in it for the sixth straight time, has only played in 21 of Oklahoma City's 46 games while dealing with foot and toe injuries.
There are plenty of familiar faces among the Western Conference reserves, including Durant's teammate Russell Westbrook, Rockets MVP candidate and NBA scoring leader James Harden and Clippers point guard Chris Paul.
Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson will be making his first appearance.
Spurs big man and future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan will be making his 15th appearance in the All-Star Game, tying him with Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal for third-most all-time. Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who has put off thumb surgery, rounds out the West roster.
Harden is expected to move into the starting lineup in place of injured Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who is sidelined for the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Lillard, Cousins and Grizzlies guard Mike Conley are among the potential replacements on the roster.
There were few, if any, surprises among the Eastern Conference reserves, with the conference-leading Hawks placing three players in the game for the first time since 1980. Point guard Jeff Teague made his first All-Star Game, forward Paul Millsap his second and center Al Horford will represent the East for the third time.
Miami will be well-represented as well, with veterans Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh earning their 11th and 10th consecutive trips, respectively. Cleveland's Kyrie Irving and Chicago's Jimmy Butler round out the roster.
Irving, the reigning All-Star Game MVP, will play in the game for a third consecutive year, while Butler is set to make his first appearance.
The Western Conference starters as voted by fans were Bryant, Golden State's Stephen Curry, New Orleans' Anthony Davis, Memphis' Marc Gasol and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers.
New York's Carmelo Anthony, Chicago's Pau Gasol, Cleveland's LeBron James, Toronto's Kyle Lowry and Washington's John Wall were voted as starters for the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta's Mike Budenholzer and his staff will coach the East, while first-year Golden State coach Steve Kerr and his staff will lead the West.
The game will be held at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Feb. 15.
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